Snakewood

BOTANIC NAME: Piratinera Guianensis

COMMOM NAMES: Snakewood, Amourette.

ORIGIN:  South America

DESCRIPTION:  Density 1210 Kg/m3. Reddish brown, with contrasting darker brown or black patches. Colour tends to darken and homogenize with age. Grain is straight, with a fine even texture. High natural luster.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Snakewood is extremely dense, and has a pronounced blunting effect on cutters. Snakewood also tends to be quite brittle and can splinter easily while being worked. Turns well and finishes to a high polish.

DRYING: Drying speed is slow. Risk of deformation.

USES: Inlay, veneer, violin bows, tool handles, and other small turned or specialty objects.